CBS Announces Plans To Premiere Nickelodeon's Brand New Stop-Motion Animated "SpongeBob SquarePants" Christmas Special "It's A SpongeBob Christmas" In The USA On Friday 23rd November 2012!

Below is a CBS Press Release from TheFutonCritic.com:

CBS Celebrates the Holidays with a New Special from Nickelodeon, "It's a SpongeBob Christmas!," Friday, Nov. 23

John Goodman lends his voice to Santa Claus in this special.

[via press release from CBS]

CBS CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS WITH A NEW SPECIAL FROM NICKELODEON, "IT'S A SPONGEBOB CHRISTMAS!," FRIDAY, NOV. 23

John Goodman Provides the Voice of Santa Claus

[Above image from The SpongeBob SquarePants Wiki]
CBS will present a new stop-motion animated special, IT'S A SPONGEBOB CHRISTMAS!, based on the hit Nickelodeon animated series "SpongeBob SquarePants," on Friday, Nov. 23 (9:30 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT). John Goodman lends his voice to Santa Claus in this special.

As the first stop-animation feature for "SpongeBob SquarePants," IT'S A SPONGEBOB CHRISTMAS! is inspired by the popular song, "Don't be a Jerk, It's Christmas," by Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob SquarePants) and Andy Paley. In this new special, Mr. Krabs' nemesis, Plankton, vows to get his Christmas wish - obtaining the Krusty Krab's secret Krabby Patty formula - by turning everyone bad in Bikini Bottom with the help of his special jerktonium-laced fruitcake.

"SpongeBob SquarePants" chronicles the nautical and sometimes non-sensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurably optimistic and earnest sea sponge who lives in a two-story pineapple in the sub-surface city of Bikini Bottom.

Since its launch in July 1999, "SpongeBob SquarePants" has emerged as a pop culture phenomenon. The series has been the number-one animated program with kids 2-11 for more than 12 consecutive years on Nickelodeon. Over the past several years, it has averaged more than 100 million total viewers across all Nickelodeon networks.

IT'S A SPONGEBOB CHRISTMAS! was created and executive produced by Stephen Hillenburg and executive produced by Paul Tibbitt, with stop-motion animation directed by Mark Caballero and Seamus Walsh and produced by Chris Finnegan of Screen Novelties.

Official CBS Web site: http://www.cbs.com/

CBS Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CBSTweet.

Nickelodeon UK has confirmed the Nickelodeon UK News to NickALive! that Nickelodeon UK will premiere and show Nickelodeon's first full-length stop-motion animated special "It's A SpongeBob Christmas!" on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK in December 2012, as part of Nickelodeon UK's Autumn/Winter 2012 line-up and "Christmas on Nickelodeon UK 2012"!

Nickelodeon's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Embark On A Tour Of London, UK On Thursday 18th October 2012!

Nickelodeon UK's Press Office has announced on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUKPR) that the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" themselves - Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo - toured London, UK to do a spot of sightseeing earlier today (Thursday 18th October 2012) to celebrate and promote Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK premiering and showing Nickelodeon's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series every Monday at 5.00pm (repeated at 6.00pm on Nick UK's plus-one (+1) timeshift channel, Nickelodeon+1) throughout October and November 2012! During their time in the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, the Heroes in a Half Shell visited the London Transport Museum in London's Covent Garden, attended a fan signing with "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" co-creator Kevin Eastman at a Forbidden Planet shop, drove a world-famous London Bus, and took of Nickelodeon UK's offices at MTV Networks Europe's office building in Camden!:

Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles take over London! First stop... a visit to the London Transport Museum #nickturtlesuk pic.twitter.com/OT5wWFFk

And:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman at a Forbidden Planet fan signing...who was there? #nickturtles pic.twitter.com/RvDUPyPA

Also:

Raphael trying out a new job? Look out for a Turtle driving your bus today! #nickturtles pic.twitter.com/3zSW3ygq

And:

Turtles take over Nick Towers! pic.twitter.com/Pcyi3JsR

Also:

Please welcome Raphael the newest member of the Nickelodeon press team! #nickturtlesuk pic.twitter.com/32O3NayJ

A Round-Up Of Nickelodeon Star Victoria Justice's September 2012 Visit To The UK

From Blog.Viacom, the official blog of Viacom Inc., who is the parent company of the Nickelodeon brand:

Back in the UK: Victoria Justice

by Natalie House, Nickelodeon UK

Victoria Justice and Nathan Thomas at The Odeon West End, London for a Nickelodeon UK screening
Victoria Justice, star of the hit Nickelodeon series Victorious, touched down in the UK for her third promo trip in under a year, including both a media tour and some quality time with her fans.Kicking off her weeklong trip, Victoria completed two photo shoots (including a cover) for teen magazine Bliss. Brits, keep an eye out for those coming to you soon. Also during the trip, Victoria headed out to co-host an exclusive screening of the brand new Victorious episode, “Tori Goes Platinum” and took questions from a crowd of over 800 fans at London’s Odeon West End in Leicester Square.

Later in the week, Victoria took a trip outside of London to Manchester's new Media City centre for an appearance on children's stalwart TV show Blue Peter. Victoria chatted with the hosts about “Tori Goes Platinum” premiering on Nick UK later this month, her new movie Fun Size, and the release of the new Victorious 2.0 soundtrack – whilst acting as “Judge Justice” for their end of show quiz, complete with wig and cloak!

[Photo:] Victoria Justice and fans at Argos signing, Holloway Road, London

No trip to the UK is complete without a chance to meet the fans. Victoria made a stop at Manchester's hmv to meet and greet over 200 fans and sign copies of the newly released Sony UK soundtrack that features music from Victoria and the cast of Victorious.

Amid a slew of press interviews and promotional activities, Victoria had the chance to stop by the T4 studios to chat with the hosts about her first leading role in the Paramount feature film Fun Size that hits cinemas in the UK on Oct. 29.

Fans wait to meet Victoria Justice in London.
Before heading back to Hollywood, Victoria capped off her UK trip with one more meet-and-greet with over 300 of her dedicated UK fans who waited in the pouring rain to meet her at Argos!

Tags: press, Victoria Justice, Victorious

15-Year-Old Two-Time World Champion Trinity Irish Dancer To Be Contestant On Upcoming Brand New Episode Of Nickelodeon's "Figure It Out"; To Premiere Wednesday 24th October 2012

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

ON HIS TOES: Peter Dziak of Villa Park — a 15-year-old two-time world champion Trinity Irish Dancer — tries to stump the panel on Nickelodeon's "Figure It Out" at 6 p.m. Oct. 24. Celebrity judges on the game show have to guess a kid’s unusual talent by simply asking "yes" or "no" questions.

Viacom International Media Networks Calls Digital Review

From CampaignLive:

Viacom International Media Networks calls digital review

By Sara Kimberley, campaignlive.co.uk, Thursday, 18 October 2012 10:30AM Be the first to comment

Viacom International Media Networks is seeking an agency to handle its digital account across major markets.

The Viacom division, which owns brands including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Viva and Comedy Central, has approached agencies directly.

It is understood that the VIMN senior vice-president of digital, Philip O'Ferrall, is overseeing the process.

VIMN, formerly known as MTV Networks International, runs MTV operations outside of the US and has offices in London (which broadcasts the reality programme Geordie Shore), Berlin, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, Milan, Madrid and Paris.

In the past, VIMN has worked with a number of agencies across its advertising and digital activity including Buzzman in Paris, Quiet Storm in the UK and Wieden & Kennedy São Paulo. The media owner has also relied on sponsorship activity to promote its channels.

Last month, the company was in the final stages of signing a commercial partner for the launch of a fashion-focused digital property called District MTV to go live online this month and on mobile later in the year.

District MTV is aimed at fashion-savvy 18- to 34-year-olds in the UK, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. It will make use of MTV's existing connections to pop culture, music and fashion.

VIMN confirmed the review to Campaign.

This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk

Tags: MTV Networks International, Geordie Shore, VIMN, District MTV, Viva, New Business, Television, Viacom, Comedy Central, Account review, Media / Entertainment, Agency, Viacom International Media Networks, VH1, Agencies, Nickelodeon, Digital agency, Global

Licensing.biz Interviews "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Co-Creator Kevin Eastman And Nickelodeon SVP Rich Magallanes At BLE 2012

From Licensing.biz:

BLE 2012: An interview with Turtles creators old and new

Licensing.biz speaks to original TMNT series co-creator Kevin Eastman and Nickelodeon SVP Rich Magallanes.

Nickelodeon’s new CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series has been developed to cater to old fans while also appealing to today’s children.

At Brand Licensing Europe 2012 Rich Magallanes, senior vice president, animation, Nickelodeon told Licensing.biz: “There’s now a couple of generations out there who grew up watching Turtles. Maybe some of them have had a kid themselves now, so knowing that and trying to keep that audience in tact, along with making it appeal to a whole new set of kids to bring the whole family together, was the strategy.”

Nickelodeon has given each of the Turtles their own individual nuances to help differentiate the characters, Magallanes said.

“In the past they were all the same build and the same skin colours.”

For example, Donetello has a gap in his teeth while Raphael has a chunk missing from his armour. The Turtles are also different heights and have different skin tones.

“It's all about making them more relatable and identifiable to kids.”

Magallanes enjoying our special Turtles publication - read it here.
But Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, said: “All the components are there, maybe certain elements have been moved to the left or the right, but what’s fascinating is that there is not that many changes. The story and the core characters and their attitudes are the same.”

Eastman added: “For me, when I look at the new animated series what I love the most, besides the story telling and the comedy and the action, is the style. I love the style.”

In terms of style Magallanes also said that aesthetically the new series was designed to have a broad appeal. Predominately CG animated, the show also uses anime-style emoticons and comic-book style 2D animation for flashback scenes.

To find out what Eastman and Magallanes think about the new Turtles toy line from Playmates – head to ToyNews.

The forthcoming Turtles live action movie was previewed to an audience of licensing industry execs on Tuesday evening.

Tags: donetello, leonardo, michaelangelo, nickelodeon, raphael, turtles

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Co-Creator Kevin Eastman Gives His Approval To Playmates' Brand New Line Of TMNT Merchandise!

From Toy News:

TMNT creator: 'The new Turtles toys are awesome'

Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the original Turtles, loves the new toy line by Playmates.

One of the men behind the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has given his seal of approval to the new line of action figures and play-sets by Playmates.

Speaking to sister publication Licensing.biz at Brand Licensing Europe 2012, Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the original Turtles, said: “I think the new toys are awesome. I love them.”

“What I love is – when you look at the design of the animated characters it’s a lot like the first comics, so it’s really taking it back to its roots – and Playmates have managed to capture that style perfectly.”

The Turtles with their favourite toy magazine - ToyNews.

Kevin Magallanes, senior vice president, animation, at new series creator Nickelodeon said: “The action figures are my favourite. It is amazing to see what Playmates has done with our version.

“We’ve just started to launch the toys and I know they’re doing very well. The momentum is just starting up and its just going to get bigger and bigger. The more episodes we show, the bigger it gets and it’s going to keep going.

“They’re just great, I relish these things.”

Eastman concurred: “It definitely brings out the geek in all of us.”

He added: “My wife took the kids to buy some of the Playmates toys and they were only able to get one of the figures as the rest had sold out.”

Tags: donetello, leonardo, michaelangelo, nickelodeon, raphael, turtles

Nickelodeon's New "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Series Take The Spotlight At Brand Licensing Europe 2012 Event

From The Hollywood Reporter:

'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Take the Spotlight at Brand Licensing Europe Event

Nickelodean
Co-creator Kevin Eastman and Nickelodeon's Rich Magallanes discuss the staying power of the franchise before a Turtles-themed party in London.

LONDON - Nickelodeon's successful reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the franchise's co-creator Kevin Eastman were in the spotlight during a keynote appearance here at Brand Licensing Europe 2012 on Tuesday.

MIPCOM 2012: U.K. Broadcaster ITV to Air Nickelodeon’s 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'

Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman Confident About Nickelodeon's New Direction

Eastman recalled how he and his co-creator self-published the first Turtles comic, and it sold well. "That really was a dream come true," he said. "And it is great to see that things are going so well 30 years [or so] later."

Eastman, who is a consultant on an upcoming Turtles movie, was joined by Rich Magallanes, senior vp, animation, current series at Viacom's Nickelodeon, which acquired the Turtles franchise a few years ago and this fall relaunched it with a new animated series.

"Reinventing this property was one of the most daring things we have ever done at Nickelodeon," he said. "And we did it in a way that's fresh, yet held on to the authenticity."

Asked why the franchise continues to appeal to audiences, particularly boys, Magallanes said: "It's got a lot of action in it. They are heroes, but not superheroes with superpowers. And there is humor. Comedy always sells."

He also mentioned fantasy and role play elements, relatable characters, the fact that the Turtles are a team of brothers and that they are teenagers coming into their own. "All that is relatable to teenagers' lives," he said.

The reboot also emphasizes different physical traits of the Turtles and underlines their difference in personalities, allowing viewers to identify with one specific character and the whole team at the same time, Magallanes said.

Asked how villain Shredder was created, Eastman said he and his co-creator were doing the dishes, and he ended up drying a cheese grater. As he slipped his hand inside, he said "wouldn't Grater be a great villain?" he recalled. His partner then suggested the name Shredder instead.

Tuesday evening, the Nickelodeon team invited people to London's hip Shoreditch neighborhood for a party that served Turtles-themed colorful cocktails and pizza, which features prominently in the show as the Turtles' favorite food. Four people dressed up as the Turtles were on hand for those looking for picture opportunities.

Mark Kingston, vp of Nickelodeon's consumer products business in the U.K. and Australia told the crowd that the new series has brought "new life to this great franchise."

At next month's MTV European Music Awards, the Turtles will have a presence as part of a campaign of global Viacom support.

And the animated Turtles show will in its second season feature even more villains and new vehicles, he said in addressing licensing and toy industry attendees.

The event also showed a very early brief CG-animated preview of the 2014 planned movie release Ninja Turtles from producer Michael Bay, which drew much applause.